Antarctica

Discover another world beyond our own

Cruises to Antarctica

Atlantic Odyssey, excl. Antarctic Peninsula

This far-ranging expedition voyage sails the breadth of the Atlantic, viewing the changing celestial bodies as we cross the equator

HDS34-23 The Atlantic Odyssey cruise visits some of the remotest islands in the world, crossing the migratory paths of Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skuas, other birds, and a variety of whales as they make their annual expeditions north for the breeding season.

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

27 Mar - 18 Apr, 2023

Price:

8100 USD

St. Helena to Cape Verde

Witness the northbound spring migration

HDS35-23 During the days at sea the chances of meeting whales are high. Witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas who join us in crossing the Equator (“the Line”).

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

18 Apr - 27 Apr, 2023

Price:

2100 USD

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

Meet at least six penguin species!

OTL21-23 A cruise to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula. Visit some of the most beautiful arrays of wildlife on Earth. This journey will introduce you to at least 6 species of penguin and a whole lot of Antarctic fur seals!

m/v Ortelius

m/v Ortelius

Cruise date:

21 Oct - 10 Nov, 2023

Price:

13350 USD

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

Meet at least six penguin species!

HDS21-23 A cruise to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula. Visit some of the most beautiful arrays of wildlife on Earth. This journey will introduce you to at least 6 species of penguin and a whole lot of Antarctic fur seals!

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

24 Oct - 13 Nov, 2023

Price:

13350 USD

South Georgia Explorer

Experience the best of the South Georgia

PLA22-23 Few places compare to South Georgia in terms of exotic wildlife and jaw-dropping scenery. On this exploratory voyage you can enjoy wandering albatross colonies while also seeing some of the biggest breeding spots for king penguins and elephant seals...

m/v Plancius

m/v Plancius

Cruise date:

9 Nov - 23 Nov, 2023

Price:

10500 USD

Antarctica cruise video

Antarctica story

Crossing, Kayaking, Camping: Three Antarctic Adventures

Crossing the Drake Passage rewards thousands of tourists every year with one of the most incredible paradises on planet

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Antarctica blog

Guide’s Choice for Binoculars: Swarovski Optik

Our guests often ask us what they should pack when it comes to the more optional polar travel gear, such as cameras or b

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Antarctica wildlife

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Antarctica cruise reviews

Overall rating based on 418 votes

You have to be there to really SEE it
by Cees Luiten

I have seen pictures and clips on youtube before I went to Antarctica, but it does not compare closely to really being there. The experience of being there in person is so overwhelming and satisfying, its truly

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Amazing trip
by Nanna Andersen

There is so much to say, but the best word I can use is "amazing". The food was amazing, the guides were amazing, the guests were amazing, the nature was amazing! And may I also add - very dedicated guides! It

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Amazing company and trip!
by Olia Bosovik

Loved my expedition cruise with Oceanwide. 11/10 rating!!!! Everything was amazing from activities to the expeditions guides , to staff and food. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. The only minor weakness is th

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Sealers last for days…
by MaryEllen Szper

Ship and crew were top shelf.

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Ross Sea - ein tolles Erlebnis
by Tanja Blum

die 32 Tage auf der Ortelius auf der Tour von Ushuaia nach Bluff haben wir sehr genossen. Alles war super organisiert, die Ausflüge sowohl mit Zodiacs als auch Hubschraubern wurden sobald das Wetter es zuließ (

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Ross sea Odyssee
by Hildegard hofbauer

Great trip, great scenery great guides and lectures.well organized

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Antarctica FAQ

Where is Antarctica?

Antarctica is the fifth largest of the seven continents. Antarctica has two large indentations which are the Ross Sea and the Weddell Sea. The nearest continent is South America. The total surface of Antarctica is 14.2 Million square kilometres (abou

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What is the time zone in Antarctica?

The time zone in Antarctica is the same as the time zone in New Zealand:  GMT + 12 hours. On regular Antarctic trips we operate in the same time zone as Ushuaia, Argentina: GMT – 3 hours. 

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Is it dangerous to visit Antarctica?

No, the remote location, frozen landscape, and unpredictable weather can make tourism operations in Antarctica tricky, but Oceanwide Expeditions has the right experience, knowledge, and expertise to stay safe in the Antarctic. 

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What is the climate at Antarctica?

Antarctica is the coldest and also the windiest continent in the world. The lowest temperature on Earth was recorded in Antarctica. There are three climatic regions in Antarctica: The interior of the continent: This is the extremely cold area of A

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What is the Antarctic landscape like?

Antarctica consists of two main areas. East Antarctica (Greater Antarctica) and West Antarctica (Antarctic Peninsula). More than 98% of Antarctica is covered with ice. The land is covered with ice and snow. Antarctica’s two parts are separated

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What kinds of plants and animals are there in Antarctica?

The vegetation at Antarctica is limited to around 350 species of mostly lichens, mosses, and algae. Various sea birds, seals, and penguins are often seen in Antarctica such as the Emperor Penguin, Adelie Penguin, Orcas, Humpback whales, Weddell Seals

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About

Antarctic Weather

Witness some of Earth’s most beautiful scenery in one of Earth’s least hospitable environments. Antarctica is the coldest, highest, windiest, and driest of all Earth’s continents, though it grants our cruise passengers access to many of the most dazzling sights our planet has to offer. Gray rock peaks punch out of the wind-carved snow, passing icebergs dot the dark blue waters, and wildlife abounds that can be seen nowhere else – all serving to remind us that we are truly in another world.


Along the Antarctic coasts (where we travel on our cruises) temperatures can reach as high as 10°C (50°F) during a hot summer day, and on a regular day can plummet to barely above freezing. But just because you’re in the coldest spot on Earth doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable: Our vessels are consummately designed to make your voyage as pleasant as possible. And if you’re still unsure what clothing to pack, we’ll give you all the information you need to stay warm and dry before you join us on our exploration of the Antarctic.

Facts About Antarctica

  • Antarctica is larger than Europe
  • Because Antarctica experiences so little precipitation, it is technically a desert
  • The name “Antarctica” comes from a Greek phrase meaning “opposite to north”
  • Almost 62% of the freshwater ice on Earth exists in Antarctica. If all that ice melted today, the world’s oceans would swell by about 60 meters (197 feet)
  • The coldest temperature ever recorded was at the Antarctic research station Vostok, on July 21, 1983, when the thermometer dropped to a teeth-chattering -89.2°C (-128.6°F), cold enough to shatter steel
  • Despite the cold, the biggest documented mass of living creatures — a 10,000,000-ton school of krill — was spotted in the Antarctic
  • The first confirmed sighting of Antarctica was in 1820, though it would take almost a century — until 1911, to be exact — before a human being set foot on the continent

Travel to Antarctica

An Antarctic cruise means visiting a part of Earth that has remained largely unchanged since Aristotle first gave rise to the notion of Terra Australis, or the ”Land of the South”.

Taking one of our cruises also means acquainting yourself with the real survivalists of the Antarctic: the seals, whales, and so many penguins who call the region home.

Our Antarctica cruises offer you an experience unlike any you’ve had. Take a Zodiac cruise among the towering blue-white icebergs, kayak alongside curious whales, introduce yourself to the inquisitive penguins, dive into a new world under the sea, camp beneath the polar sky, or climb to a rugged vista for a bird’s-eye view of the landscape. To see a list of all your many options, check out our dedicated Antarctica cruise page.

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